Circuit interrupter



June 14, 1932. N ABRAMSON 1,862,648

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Dec. 20, 1928 5 1/6/17 POWfPJOl/ACE l NVENTOR 11m WM Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NATHAN ABRAMSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PRESTO PRODUCTS 00.,

A FIRM AND PARTNERSHIP COMPOSED OF NATHAN ABRAMSON AND DAVID ABRAH- OWITZ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Application filed December 20, 1928. Serial No. 327,330.

This invention relates to circuit interrupters.

One object of the invention is to provide a circuit interrupter which may be introduced into an ordinary electric light socket to change the flow of electricity from constant to intermittent.

Another object of the invention is to produce a circuit interrupter which normally keeps the circuit open so that in the event of accident or breakage no damage would ensue by reason of having a constant current of electricity passing through the circuit.

A further object of the invention is to produce such a device having the fewest possible component parts so that the manufacture and assemblage thereof will be simple and inexpensive. I

A further, more specific object of the invention is to provide a disc of insulating material on which all of the component parts of the invention may be mounted so that the finished product will be comparatively thin and will take only a small space in a socket.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as herein illustrated, described and claimed. 7

In the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention, in which drawing similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lamp and socket assemblage, partly broken away, showingjthe application of the invention;

igure 2 is a plan View partly broken away;

Figure 3 is a vertical section showing the device in normal or open position;

Figure 4 is a vertical section showing the device in operative or closed position;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View, the invention being shown in vertical section with the insulating members removed in order to show the circuits; and,

Figure 6 is an, enlarged fragmentary detail showing the bimetallic structure of the strip 10.

Referring to the drawing A designates a common type of electric bulb which is screwed into a socket B. The socket B is provided with the ordinary wires C which lead to and from a source of light power. The device herein is introduced into the socket B beneath the bulb A so as to be in the circuit formed by the wires O, the socket B and the bulb A.

The device consists of a circular disc 6 of suitable insulating material on one side of which is mounted a rectangular housing 7. Near one end of the housing 7 is a contact pin 8 which extends through the body of the housing 7 and projects a small distance on either side thereof.

On the other side of the disc of insulating material 6 is mounted an arcuate contact plate 9. The housing 7 and the arcuate plate 9 are so disposed on the disc 6 that while both engage the disc 6 one does not make contact with the other.

Disposed beneath the housing 7 is a strip 10 formed of two metals having different coefficients of expansion so that when the strip 10 is heated as hereinafter described the strip 10 will be distorted. The strip 10 has a bent portion 11 which passes through the disc 6 and makes contact with the arcuate plate 9. One end 12 of the strip 10 is bent against the disc 6 to hold the strip 10 firmly in position. The free end of the strip 10 has disposed thereon a contact point 13 arranged to make contact with the point 8 when the strip 10 is moved to the position shown in Figure 4.

A wrapping of insulation 14 is placed on the strip 10 for the greater part of its length. A coilof resistance wire 15 is disposed around the wrapping of insulation 14 on the strip 10. One end 16 of thecoil 15 is connected to the housing 7 by being disposed beneath the lower edge of the housing 7 as shown in Figure 2. The other end 17 of the coil 15 extends past the insulation 14 and is connected to the strip 10. Another sheet of insulation 18 is disposed on the lower face of the housing 7 to prevent the coil 15 from making contact with the housing 7 except by means of the end 16 of the coil 15. i

The normal position of the device is as shown in Figure 3. The operation is as follows: A current of electricity passes from one wire C through the plate 9, the strip 10, the coil 15, and by means of the end 16 of the coil 15 to the housing 7 thence to the bulb A and is returned to the source of electricity by the other wire O. The resistance 15 does not allow sufficient electricity to pass through to light the bulb A. As the electricity passes through the coil 15 it becomes heated and heats the strip 10. As the strip 10 becomes heated the two metals of which it is formed expand unequally and the strip 10 is moved to the position shown in Figure 4 so thatthe contact 13 is brought against the contact 8. The current then flows directly through the plate 9, the strip 10, the contacts 13 and 8, and the housing 7 to the bulb A and the bulb A is lighted. Since the current follows the path of least resistance the coil 15 is not in use and is allowed to cool. As the coil 15 coolst-he strip 10 contracts and'returns to the position shown in Figure 3. When this is done the current again flows through the coil 15 and the process is repeated. This eiiects an intermittent flow of electricity and results in an intermittent lighting of the bulb A.

Having thus fully described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A circuit interrupter comprising a disc of insulation, a thermostat on the disc having one end disposed through the disc, a plate disposed in contact with the thermostat, and a second Contact plate on the opposite side of the disc and covering the thermostat.

2. A circuit interrupter comprising a disc of insulating material having a contact plate of lesser diameter than the disc on either side thereof, a thermostat between one of said plates and the disc and having one end of the thermostat disposed through the disc to make contact with the other of said plates.

3. A circuit interrupter comprising a disc of insulation, a thermostat disposed on the disc and having one end disposed through the disc. a U-shaped housing over the thermostat, insulation disposed between the housing and the thermostat to prevent casual contact and an arcuate contact plate on the opposite side of the disc in contact with the thermostat.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signature.

NATHAN ABRAMSON. 

